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Odessa officials rethink deal on reclaimed water
By JOSH ZIMMER, Times Staff Writer
ODESSA -- Bringing reclaimed water to Van Dyke Farms was not easy, homeowners president Nancy Kamm recalled last week. But once residents agreed to join the system after a divisive debate, the parameters of the deal were clear, she said. They would pay thousands of dollars to connect to new water lines. In exchange, no one would question how often they turned on their lawn sprinklers, or how long they stayed on. Now water officials are rethinking those terms, and homeowners in Van Dyke Farms feel misled. Last Wednesday the Southwest Florida Water Management District dropped a proposal to meter existing reclaimed water users after local officials complained about the potential costs and headaches of implementation. However, state and Swiftmud water managers say they remain committed to restricting reclaimed water use in the future. Swiftmud governing board member Ronnie Duncan said he and others are waiting to see what water conservation measures the state adopts. The lull gives the board more time to discuss reclaimed water conservation with district residents. "I think it's very important at a regional level that we know what is happening statewide," Duncan said. "Second of all, the board felt there had not been enough discussion ... throughout the district. We need to understand a little bit more from (local governments)." Hillsborough County officials were enraged by Swiftmud's proposal, which the Water Department said would cost $12-million for the metering alone. In addition, officials worried about the loss of public trust. And they wondered where they would dump excess water if usage was limited to two days a week. Some predicted homeowners would sue the county to recoup their installation assessments. But pressure from the county, which contacted Gov. Jeb Bush 's office to complain, seemed to work, commissioner Jim Norman said. The governor's office "went to work right way ... to bring some sanity to this thing," he said. "From my perspective, we have no problem with future metering. But to go back ... would have been a huge undertaking." Reclaimed water generated controversy at Van Dyke Farms. Former homeowner association president Joe Episcopo led the opposition, saying the project was unconstitutional. But a county-sponsored survey in late 2000 showed a majority of residents wanted to pay for the connections. Service for the subdivision's 422 homeowners began several months ago. Countywide there are 9,800 reclaimed water users now, not including another 6,200 signed up for future service. All of them were promised unrestricted use of reclaimed water. Kamm said she hoped officials will consider other measures besides metering, such conservation education and limiting access to water by turning the pipes on and off. Adopting meters could undercut people's trust in government, she said. "I'd hate to see that happen," she said. "Obviously, I think the result is you don't trust them (officials) when they come around the next time."
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